Staten Islanders getting pummeled at the pump

Staten Island Advance/Bill LyonsStations charging more than $4 a gallon for regular, such as this Citgo at Bay and Hannah streets, are the norm on Staten Island these days.

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- A recent spike in gas prices is hitting Staten Islanders in their wallets, but in a borough highly dependent on driving, there isn't much anyone can do about it.

The national average for a gallon of gas at the pump has climbed to $3.67, a rise of 34 cents since July 1. An increase in crude oil prices and problems with refineries and pipelines in the West Coast and Midwest, including a fire in California, are mostly to blame.

Analysts don't expect gas prices to get as high as they did in April, when 10 states topped $4 a gallon and the U.S. average was $3.94.

But news of any increase in this sluggish economy is not welcome, because money going to pump gas doesn't get spent on other things, like eating at restaurants or going to the movies.

"It's another way that we're getting killed," said John Scarpa of Concord. "You know, with the drought, and the groceries going up, and gas going up, I mean, where is it going to end? There doesn't seem to be any end in sight and that's the scary part of it."

CUT DOWN VISITS

Scarpa has cut down visits to his daughter and grandchildren on Long Island because of the cost of gas.

"Instead of going there every week we go out there, maybe, every month. So it has affected our personal lives, definitely."

Anna Fernandez of New Springville, who has two young children, feels trapped by gas prices and unable to alter her driving habits to save a few bucks.

"This [stinks]. Are you kidding me? But what are we going to do?" asked Ms. Fernandez. "Everybody owns a car, and they know people have to buy the gas. So what happens? You have to pay for the gas -- supply and demand, economics 101."

One Stapleton driver drives less and spends less due to the price of gas. "It's ridiculous," said the man, who wished to remain anonymous. "They need to lower these prices. I don't drive as much, plus I have a V8. They should have some mercy on the guys that have the V8 engines, the big engines. "It's not even worth it to drive to Jersey to buy gas unless you're going there for some other reason," he added.

SEASONAL FACTORS

Seasonal factors play a role: Gas usually costs more in the late spring and summer because refiners have to make more expensive blends of gasoline to meet clean air rules and because the summer driving season boosts demand.

"It's very expensive," said Susan Hurdado of Stapleton. "We definitely don't go out much now. It would be nice if the price goes lower."

"I've never found myself doing this before, but I went online. And I found out that if you constantly have a sufficient amount of air in your tires it increases your gas mileage," Slyman said. "I'm actually on my way to Jersey to pick up a friend of mine, and I'm waiting until I get there [to buy gas]. I don't even know if I'm going to make it because I got the low-fuel bulb on, but I'm waiting till I get over there because it's cheaper."

"I have an app on my iPhone that tells me, within a 10-mile radius of where I'm at right now, where the cheapest gas prices are, but it's a shame that we have to do this right now."